Rob Langston

Open to playing a longer game with open-end infra vehicles | Infrastructure Investor

Rob Langston considers what is driving some investors to allocate to longer duration open-end infrastructure vehicles

The future for Mexican infrastructure | Infrastructure Investor

Mexico offers a range of potentially attractive opportunities to investors, albeit with some risk attached.

DE&I: How agri is tackling the challenge | Agri Investor

As investors continue to incorporate ESG factors into their portfolios, asset managers in agriculture are doing more to help address social issues and improve DE&I in the industry. By Rob Langston and Stephanie Baxter.

Distribution: Waiting for change that's already happened

Change is inevitable, whether it’s through gradual evolution or an earth-shaking ‘big bang’. Rob Langston delves further into our ‘Future of Distribution’ research among fund managers.

AJ Bell's MPS shift to 'reduce adviser risk'

The adviser platform and discretionary manager has updated its managed portfolio services (MPS), which encompasses active, passive, 'pactive' and responsible MPS options, as well as its retirement portfolio service, to operate on a 'reliance on others' (ROO) basis, meaning advisers are not responsible or liable for the investment decisions made in the underlying portfolios.

Peak growth has likely passed warns Bank of America

The first year after the pandemic has outpaced most other recoveries of the past 50 years, according to the Bank of America's asset allocation analysts, and risk assets have already recovered in one year what it has taken two years in previous recoveries.

Venture takes on the challenge of DE&I | Venture Capital Journal

Awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion issues has grown worldwide in the venture capital community. Rob Langston reports on new data that shows how the industry is slowly making progress.

Solving the urban-rural connectivity gap

The sudden move to remote working during the pandemic has underlined the need for greater digital infrastructure in rural areas.

How remote working made GPs look for greener pastures and lower taxes

The onset of covid-19 has shown investors what can be achieved outside of the office and away from the traditional tech-heavy communities, like Silicon Valley. This may result in longer-term changes for the venture community, writes Rob Langston.

Taking digital banking to the next level in CEE

This article is part of The Banker's Special Report, A new era in retail digital sales for CEE banks, in association with Backbase. The stay-at-home orders enforced around the world to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has driven retail customers online in a way that few could have imagined before the onset of the pandemic.

UK pension funds call for climate risk transparency

UK pension funds are urging oil and gas companies to engage with the rising ESG awareness among savers, with climate concerns putting the industry firmly in their crosshairs. A survey of more than 2,000 UK adults by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), a trade body representing pension schemes, found global warming is an important issue for 80pc of respondents, with 50pc saying it is "very" or "extremely" important.

No time for oil services to have 'heads in the sand'

Firms are at a strategic crossroads over whether to focus solely on hydrocarbons or pivot towards low-carbon energy sources, according to PwC

My articles for FE Trustnet

All my work at FE Trustnet (www.trustnet.com) since 23 November 2016.

Forecasting a bright future for emerging market forex - Raconteur

Emerging markets have enjoyed a surge of interest in recent years, offering investors exposure to greater levels of growth. However, despite the strong returns on offer, some remain nervous about the strength of currencies, particularly as the US Federal Reserve adopts a more aggressive rate-hiking regime.

Why businesses need to invest in intangible assets - Raconteur

Items such as corporate culture, diversity, talent and brand reputation are difficult to value, but may play a key role in a company's success. Investment in such intangibles, therefore, may be difficult for chief financial officers to recommend to the board when there is no obvious return on investment.

Eastern Promise: The rise of family offices in the Middle East and Southeast Asia

Unblyined piece on family offices in the Middle East and South-East Asia.

The impact of the pound's plunge on business - Raconteur

Compared with the relative stability of recent years, the past few months have been a challenging time for the British pound. The outcome of the UK's referendum on continued European Union membership has seen confidence in the currency slide as uncertainty has built over the future of the British economy.

Cash is king but finance is still available - Raconteur

With pressure on sterling and UK economy facing continued uncertainty in the wake of the Brexit vote, managing company liquidity is more important than ever

Testing times for insurers' portfolios - Raconteur

Low-yield markets have made it difficult for insurers to generate reliable returns from their investment portfolios and increased pressure to ensure they have the right asset management strategy in place

Small businesses wake up to benefits of outsourcing - Raconteur

Outsourcing is no longer the preserve of big corporations as smaller companies and startups see advantages in outsourcing in house functions

Building on sand? | Zawya

New laws in Abu Dhabi will make property investment in the emirate easier for investors: Is there demand? New laws in Abu Dhabi will make property investment in the emirate easier for investors: Is there demand? Construction is a key sector for the UAE economy.

The effect of Brexit on pension investors - Raconteur

Pensions may not have been at the front of many people's minds when entering the polling booths on June 23, but the Brexit referendum result is likely to have a lasting impact on pension schemes for years to come. The immediate aftermath saw sterling plunge and markets fall, taking a toll on investors' savings.

What now?? | Zawya

A slowdown in British and European growth could weigh on Middle East & African economies

Easing the pressure | Zawya

After emerging as the best performing markets in 2015, Mena Fund Manager looks at the opportunities and challenges for asset managers in the Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine The Levant was the best performing part of the Mena region in 2015.

Encouraging investment | Zawya

Uncertainty in the Egyptian market has emerged.

Reluctant to take risk | Zawya

European lenders remain cautious in doing business with Iran

At the frontier | Zawya

With global markets taking a battering, how have the frontier markets in the region fared?

Dealing with downgrades | Zawya

Home to a growing Islamic banking sector and a healthy asset management community, MenaFM takes a closer look at the latest developments in Bahrain With one of the oldest established mutual fund industries in the region, the Bahraini asset management sector has continued to thrive in recent years.

Seeing off the competition | Zawya

Ambitions to become biggest player in region

Tough year | Zawya

While new launches have tapered off, interest in the hedge funds remains constant.

Market focus: Abu Dhabi | Zawya

The Abu Dhabi Global Market plans to attract new firms.

Sukuk it up | Zawya

Sukuk issuance during 2015 had been tipped to reach at least USD100bn but set against a challenging market backdrop.

Market Focus: Qatar | Zawya

Qatar has emerged as one of the region's strongest economies over the past year, as it benefits from a more diversified economy and high infrastructure spending.

Flow away

Research from the Institute of International Finance has shown emerging markets face dwindling inflows as investors move money into safe havens Concerns over the growth of China and the impact on other emerging markets have caused a crisis in confidence among global investors, who have increasingly taken their money elsewhere in search of safety.

Cold Turkey?

The Turkish economy has faced a number of headwinds during 2015, Mena Fund Manager looks at the health of the Turkish market and asset management industry. After an impressive 2014, in which it was one of the region's best performers, the Turkish market has struggled this year.

In debt

Eyebrows were raised when Saudi Arabia tapped up the debt markets earlier this year, Mena Fund Manager looks at what it means for the market When the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency ( SAMA ) announced it would issue $4bn worth of bonds to domestic banks, it marked the central bank's first return to debt markets for eight years.

Going global can be plain sailing - raconteur.net

Since the onset of the financial crisis, the Coalition Government has made export growth a priority in helping the UK recover from one of the worst economic disasters to hit the economy in living memory.

High Frequency Trading has transformed markets - raconteur.net

In a post-crisis investment environment where returns have become more difficult to come by, investors have been forced to look towards alternative ways of generating income. Traditionally associated with hedge funds and specialist firms, high-frequency trading (HFT) has caught the imagination of wider audiences.

Integrate risk to balance the books - raconteur.net

Companies are increasingly being urged to adopt integrated reporting, identifying business risks as well as opportunities, writes Rob Langston

Why invest in a social enterprise business? - raconteur.net

Impact investing in social enterprise has taken centre stage in the sustainable and responsible investment arena in recent years. Governments, investors and charities have worked towards establishing a more effective regime to facilitate investment in what has been a huge growth area.

The five most active sectors in M&A - raconteur.net

With financial services playing an important part in the daily lives of the general public, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity often draws a wider audience than just those with a vested interest in the sector. Although the big bank mergers witnessed after the financial crisis are unlikely to be repeated, there is still plenty of activity in the sector.

London offshore hub will boost renminbi trading - raconteur.net

Asian markets are continuing to outshine their Western counterparts as the global economic slowdown shows little sign of relenting. Despite indications of a slowing in GDP growth, China is still outpacing developed nations and achieved 7.8 per cent growth during the second quarter of 2012, outstripping anaemic growth in the developed market economies.

You don't have to go it alone - raconteur.net

Politicians have been keen to emphasise the importance of entrepreneurs and their role in helping the UK economy bounce back, but as a new wave of business people improve the wealth of the country, who will look after their money?

It can sometimes pay to take risks with technology - raconteur.net

The internet has revolutionised the way consumers engage with retailers over the past decade. Indeed, the rise in e-commerce has ensured that even the most stalwart of high street retailers have not been safe from changing consumer trends.

Treasurers hold key to new market success - raconteur.net

Much of the leg work involved in global expansion and international growth is now being done by corporate treasury departments. In its 2015 Global Corporate Treasury Survey, professional services firm Deloitte found that more than 70 per cent of corporate treasurers saw enhanced governance and control over domestic and overseas operations as an important part of their role.

Boxing clever to manage risks - raconteur.net

The 2008 crisis has prompted governments around the world to tighten regulation not just of banks and financial institutions, but of a wide range of sectors, increasing the compliance burden for all kinds of businesses. There are those who believe that the amount of red tape should be cut.

Where's the money going in wearable technology - raconteur.net

Apple's launch of its smart watch made it the latest tech giant to enter the wearable technology space. But unlike the California blue-chip technology giant, not everybody has access to billions of dollars in cash reserves. For startups, funding can be difficult to come by with many not knowing where to turn for much-needed capital.

Bonanza could fuel future - raconteur.net

Venezuela lays claim to the largest proven oil reserves in the world. President Hugo Chavez claimed his country has 297 billion barrels, surpassing the previous long-term world leader Saudi Arabia. After Venezuela, Brazil has the second largest proven oil reserves in Latin America with just under 14 billion barrels.

British bosses must adapt to make profits offshore - raconteur.net

Expansion overseas has become increasingly important for British companies in recent years as low growth and global economic uncertainty weighs heavily on consumer sentiment, and dampens the UK economy's recovery. It has become a political point too, as Chancellor George Osborne has called for greater exports to fast-growing, emerging market economies that have continued to grow.

Commission ban pushes up bills - raconteur.net

For most, the passing of 2013 will not have had much significance, but for those who use a financial adviser there will have been big changes. The retail distribution review (RDR) came into effect at the turn of the year, after years of preparation, bringing in higher qualification standards for financial advisers and a ban on commission for investment products.

Policing the markets

Published as part of a Raconteur Media supplement

Policing the markets

Published as part of a Raconteur Media supplement

PROFILE: Alex Wright, Fidelity UK Opportunities Fund

Most investors will tend to steer clear of the unpopular and unfashionable companies and sectors, with many believing they are so for good reason. However, these investors can often be missing out on opportunities offered by smaller companies 'unloved' by analysts and the market.

SURVEY: Japan funds

While the Japanese investment story captivated investors for many years, the country's importance in the world of technology and automotive industries has made it a key player globally in recent years. Japan's economy is the world's third largest, behind the US and China, according to the International Monetary Fund, and is almost twice the size of the UK's.

Active funds versus ETFs

Greek tragedy?

An African adventure

While the emerging markets story is now well documented, investors may want to consider some additional exposure to Africa

Delhi'd reaction

Investing in Art as an asset class

With a wave of new launches reinvigorating the asset class, Rob Langston discovers what art investing has to offer. A number of launches and renewed interest in the area has led to a new group of investors looking for exposure to the asset class.

What's now 'In' should be 'Out'

Staying up to date with the latest trends in the market can be a costly strategy, says Alex Crooke, fund manager at Bankers Investment Trust, who unapologetically claims to be unfashionable. "We try not to follow fashion and that's where you get into trouble - you've got to try and remember to buy low and sell high," he says.